Domain B
This term describes a behavior that produces a specific consequence and is strengthened by that consequence.
Operant behavior
This continuous measurement method records every instance of a behavior and is considered the most accurate.
Event recording (frequency/rate recording)
This experimental design feature is used to show that the IV, not extraneous variables, caused the change in behavior.
Experimental control (replication of effect)
This preference assessment presents all stimuli simultaneously and allows the individual to freely approach items. No trials are conducted.
Free-operant preference assessment
This antecedent intervention involves pre-arranging the environment to make problem behavior less likely before it occurs.
Antecedent modification (or: environmental modification)
Naruto trains harder each time he fails a mission. His increased effort is maintained by escaping the feeling of defeat. This is an example of what?
Negative reinforcement
A BT records whether Sasuke was on-task during each 10-second interval, regardless of how long the behavior lasted. What measurement method is this?
Whole-interval recording
In this single-case design, the same intervention is applied across different participants, behaviors, or settings — never reversing to baseline.
Multiple baseline design
Ichigo's problem behavior occurs only during math tasks and stops when the teacher removes the worksheet. What function does this suggest?
Escape/avoidance (negative reinforcement — task avoidance)
A behavior analyst teaches Luffy to request a break instead of flipping his desk. The new behavior serves the same function as the problem behavior. What is this procedure?
Functional communication training (FCT)
A child stops tantruming after tantrums are no longer reinforced. Over time, tantrums return briefly and more intensely. What is this temporary increase called?
Extinction burst
Two observers independently collect data on the same behavior at the same time. Their agreement is calculated as: agreements ÷ (agreements + disagreements) × 100. What is this called?
Point-by-point IOA (interobserver agreement)
A graph shows a stable, flat baseline, then an immediate level change when intervention begins, and the behavior stays at the new level. What visual analysis features support a functional relationship?
Level change, immediacy of effect, and stable trend in both phases — all support a functional relationship
A functional analysis condition that presents no demands, no attention, and free access to tangibles is used to assess this function.
Automatic reinforcement (the alone/control condition isolates automatic function)
After mastering a skill with discrete trial training, a learner can now perform the skill across novel therapists, settings, and materials without direct training. What concept does this demonstrate?
Generalization (stimulus generalization across multiple dimensions
Cassie always raises her hand in class. When called on, she gets to share her answer. The calling-on behavior by the teacher functions as this type of stimulus for Cassie's hand-raising.
Conditioned reinforcer (or: the teacher's attention is a conditioned reinforcer)
A behavior analyst wants to measure the time between the end of one response and the beginning of the next. What dimension is being measured?
IRT — interresponse time
A researcher uses an ABAB design. Why is the second B phase considered stronger evidence of a functional relationship than the first B phase alone?
Replication — the behavior changes in the predicted direction twice with the IV, making it unlikely the change was due to coincidence or an extraneous variable
In an FA, a behavior analyst notices that problem behavior is elevated in both the attention condition and the demand condition. What should the analyst do next?
Conduct further analysis — consider a combined function or a more refined FA (e.g., pairwise or latency-based FA) to clarify the maintaining contingencies
A client's self-injurious behavior maintained by automatic reinforcement is being treated with a DRO schedule. Why might DRO alone be insufficient for automatically reinforced behavior, and what additional procedure is typically needed?
DRO only reinforces the absence of behavior but does not block the automatic reinforcement maintaining SIB. Non-contingent reinforcement (NCR) of the maintaining stimulus or response blocking/interruption is typically added to address the automatic reinforcer directly.
Distinguish between a motivating operation that establishes a stimulus as a reinforcer versus one that merely increases the frequency of behavior that has been reinforced by that stimulus in the past.
An establishing operation increases the reinforcing effectiveness of a stimulus AND increases the current frequency of behavior reinforced by that stimulus. These are two separate but related effects of the same MO.
You have a high-rate behavior and two observers with 88% total count IOA. Why might this still be problematic, and what alternative IOA formula would be more appropriate?
Total count IOA can mask disagreements on individual intervals — two observers could record very different moments and still agree on total counts. Point-by-point or mean count-per-interval IOA would be more sensitive for high-rate behaviors
Name two threats to internal validity in single-case research and explain how the multiple baseline design specifically addresses them.
History and maturation are threats. Multiple baseline addresses them by staggering the introduction of the IV — if behavior only changes when/where the IV is introduced (not across all tiers simultaneously), history and maturation are ruled out as explanations.
Describe the difference between a descriptive assessment (ABC recording) and a functional analysis in terms of experimental control and what each can and cannot tell you.
A descriptive assessment identifies correlations between antecedents/consequences and behavior but cannot establish causation — there is no manipulation of variables. An FA experimentally manipulates conditions to identify the reinforcing consequence maintaining behavior, allowing causal conclusions about function.
Distinguish between behavioral contrast and the behavioral momentum metaphor. How might each concept inform your intervention planning when reducing problem behavior?
Behavioral contrast = a change in reinforcement in one context produces an opposite change in behavior in another context (e.g., reducing reinforcement increases behavior elsewhere). Momentum = high-rate behaviors in rich reinforcement histories are more resistant to change. For planning: anticipate contrast effects when implementing extinction in one setting, and use momentum by building compliance with high-p sequences before introducing low-p demands.